The Publican Standing Afar Off Said, "God, Be Merciful To Me A Sinner" - Part 1478

Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how thy might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that Thou art true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither cares Thou for any [man]; for Thou regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore -- What think Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt Me, ye hypocrites? Shew Me the tribute money."

And they brought unto Him a penny, and He saith unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They say unto Him, "Caesar's." Then saith He unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." 

When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him, and went their way." (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Mark 3:6; Mark 8:15; Matthew 17:24-27; Romans 13:1-10; I Corinthians 3:23; I Corinthians 6:19-20)

When we read the writing in red within the new testament, we see how Jesus responds to the hearts of men. Those who come before Him with an honest and willing heart, receiving the Word of God with gladness and are encouraged and filled with His righteousness and love. In cases whereby people attempt to trick Jesus, or approach Him with a hypocritical heart, these receive responses that leave them wondering, and without answers. (Matthew 22:45-46) 

Moreover, Jesus points to the hypocrisy of those who would say one thing while harbouring a different agenda in their hearts. This is what we see in the example of Pharisees trying to entangle Jesus when He said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. Jesus concludes herein with the message, "For many are called but few [are] chosen." (Matthew 22:1-14)

But Jesus does not stop there. In speaking to the multitude and to His disciples, Jesus continues, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do: but do not ye after their works, for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi." (Matthew 23:1-7)

This signifies those whose heart has an agenda and mission that does not serve the Lord Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and by extension, love one another. But to those who do, Jesus gave a different instruction. That is, "But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Master, [even] Christ, all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth, for One is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for One is your Master [even] Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant, and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:8-12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14) 

Jesus presents a similar example (in parable form) to the lawyers and Pharisees. He puts forth a  parable to those which were bidden when He marked how they chose out the chief rooms, saying unto them, "When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, "Give this man place" and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee comes, he may say unto thee, "Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles shall be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11; Proverbs 25:6-7)

In other words, we have a choice. We can be like the Pharisee who went up into the temple to pray and stood proudly stating, "God I thank Thee that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess." Or, instead, we can come to the Lord Jesus with humble hearts, desiring His purpose(s) for our life and our faith journey. It is in this latter place that Jesus observed and commended what the publican did, "standing afar off, not lifting up so much as his eyes unto heaven ..." saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:9-13)

What did Jesus conclude of the publican? 

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other : for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:14; Luke 14:11)

So, the question then is this. Do we choose life, or death? Do we desire Jesus, or the things of this world? Do we become as the Pharisees, who proclaim to have the truth, or the publican who seeks the truth? Do we proclaim our earthly achievements for one and all to behold, or humbly approach our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with the words by the publican -- "God, be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 9:13)

As we see from the scriptures, every one has the same choice. For me and my household, we will serve the Lord, and give thanks unto the Lord, calling upon His Name, singing unto Him, singing psalms unto Him and talking of His wondrous works.

Indeed, "glory ye in His holy Name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, and the judgments of His mouth ... He is the Lord our God" and in this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus. (Psalms 105:1-14)

For He saith about those that love Him, "Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm!" Praise ye the Lord of glory. Stand in the offering plate.